Official: Apple iPhone is a chick magnet

According to a survey of 1500 women carried out on behalf of Phones4U*, men who own an iPhone are more attrative than those who don't.

The retailer said today that 54 per cent of respondents said they would more likely date a fellow if he owns an iPhone. Just over a third of them - 37 per cent - said that owning the Apple handset makes a chap seem more reliable.

Being tech-savvy helps too.

"There's just something about a man who's good with computers that makes him more trustworthy," said Lucy, a 23-year-old primary school teacher from London, according to Phones4U.

"If he's got the cash for an iPhone then he must be very good at his job, too."

So it's not all about gadgets, though. Profession is a key 'do I date, don't I date' balance-tipper for 35 per cent of women, with only seven per cent saying they don't care what job a prospective partner does for a living.

Women also cited familiarity with soap and social ease - neither a noted geek forté - as important values when deciding on dating. A good sense of humour is handy too.

And if all else fails, flash your iPhone. ®

*Update
Bizarrely, Phones 4U now claims none of the above is true. A spokesman told us the retailer hasn't conducted any such research, and didn't post any findings on a well-known press release distribution site this morning. A case of artificial dissemination, we wonder?